From Bog to Marsh to Tourist Attraction

Spring is the time of year when Manitobans hear the familiar sound of flocks of Canada Geese honking, as they return from their warmer winter homes to raise their families here in the marshes, sloughs, and lake areas. And the most highly favoured nesting area in the province which they return to is Oak Hammock Marsh, located 34 km (21 mi) north of Winnipeg in the southern Interlake.

Oak Hammock Marsh is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because of the hundreds of waterfowl and shorebirds that live here for three seasons of the year. It is of international importance as a breeding and staging area for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

The name of this popular tourist attraction dates back to the early 1870’s when settlers from Lower Fort Garry and St. Andrews held picnics on a small, oak-covered hill that bordered on what was known then as The Bog. Adam MacDonald, who owned the heavily treed hill, called it Oak Hammock, and the whole area was eventually called that. The name became official when Oak Hammock Post Office was opened in the area, operating until the early 1900’s.

In the late 1960’s and 70’s, the provincial government, with financial help from the federal government, purchased nearly 3,600 hectares (nearly 9,000 acres) from local landowners. Then in 1972-73, with the help of Ducks Unlimited Canada, they began building dikes to restore a small portion of the original marsh. The marsh and the surrounding upland areas were officially designated Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area. The WMA is operated by Manitoba Sustainable Development.

The Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Center, which houses the visitors centre, the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre, as well as the headquarters for Ducks Unlimited Canada, was constructed in 1991-92. This unique structure was designed to blend into the surrounding landscape as much as possible, and was landscaped with native grasses, shrubs, trees, and flowers, to provide a natural and productive setting for both wildlife and people. The Wetland Discovery Center, which officially opened in 1993, is a joint project of the Province of Manitoba and Ducks Unlimited Canada and is a non-profit operation. Its stated mission is to “Connect people with wetlands”.

The Wetlands Discovery Center features a theater, a scenic café, a gift shop, meeting rooms, a rooftop observation deck, and interactive exhibits. Open year-round, the Discovery Center welcomes school groups and tourists for a variety of guided programs, as well as visitors who wish to explore the marsh by following the self-guided trails.

Oak Hammock Marsh and the Wetland Discovery Center are visited by over 100,000 people each year, and it is not surprising. Just look at they have to offer:

• The marsh is home to 25 species of mammals and 300 species of birds.

• It is home to numerous amphibians, reptiles, fish, and countless insects.

• During migration season, around 100,000 waterfowl use the marsh daily.

• There are 30 km of trails for hiking, biking (bike rentals or visitors’ own) and in winter, snowshoeing.

• The opportunity to follow self-guided canoe trails spring, summer and fall. Canoe rentals or bring your own.

• An opportunity to see some of Manitoba’s last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie.

• Aspen oak bluffs and artesian springs.

• A café open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 7 days a week year-round (closed Nov. 11, Dec. 24 &25, and Jan. 1) which strives to serve locally sourced food and caters to corporate events, birthday parties, and the like.

• Day camps for ages 6-9.

• Exhibits in the Discovery Center and regular programs held here that cater to a variety of interests, and rooftop pollinator gardens.

• Gift shop where you can shop in person or online for locally-made products ranging from metal ornaments made by East Selkirk’s Janet Dornian, to hand-cream from Barr Soaps of Selkirk, as well as cheese boards, shirts, caps, puzzles, books, and more.

• Unique events all year-long such as the GPS Easter Egg Hunt, Groundhog Day, Earth Day, Dragonfly Festival, and much more.

• And of course… BIRDING.

Not only is Oak Hammock Marsh a “prairie gem”, recognized as a major attraction for people in Manitoba, neighbouring provinces and American states, it has received international recognition for having one of the best wetland visitor centers in the world. The Star Wetland Center Award which OHM received in November of 2022, recognizes best practices in wetland education and visitor centers. The award was announced at the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance held in Geneva Switzerland, and Oak Hammock was one of 23 recipients globally.

Fitting since the Wetland Discovery Center strives to connect people with wetlands today, so that they will conserve them for tomorrow.

So next time you are looking for somewhere to go and something to do, why not do like the birds and migrate to Oak Hammock Marsh, more proof that…